The main internal and external areas of the school are covered by security surveillance cameras with full twenty four hour video recording. The Governors have reviewed the school's arrangements for security and have discussed the matter with specialist officers. The school is constantly updating its information on ways in which it can add to its already considerable provision for this important aspect of school life.

The school has a detailed policy on ways in which the professional development of staff will be supported. A senior member of staff has the responsibility for ensuring that all staff are provided with information on suitable courses, both in the county or further afield. In addition to this, a weekly 'in-house' programme of professional development is provided. The school keeps a full record of all staff training.

There have been some changes to the school's staffing in the course of the past year. Mr Bouchard left the school at Easter to become a Numeracy Consultant in Peterborough and Mr Cumberworth left in the Summer to work as an Advisory Teacher in Norfolk. Staff also left during the year to take retirement or alternative posts, including Mr Spooner, Ms Pridmore, Mrs Zamorski, Mrs Smith, Mr T Reed and Mr Guilliat. We all wish them well for their future and express our thanks for their commitment to the school.

During the past year we have been delighted to welcome several new staff to support our drive for excellence in teaching and learning. Mr Bennett joined the school as a Teacher of Science, Mr Linnell as Assistant Head of Maths and Mrs McAndrew as a Learning Support Assistant. We have also made special appointment of Youth Workers, namely Pam Mellor and Tina Trigg, to help support pupils. In the Summer Term, a number of new staff were appointed to join the school for the new academic year, including Mrs Burton (new Head of English), Mr Peters (new Head of Science), Ms Kay (new Head of Learning Support), Miss White (Senior School Secretary), Mr Hardy (ICT Technician), Mrs Beauchamp (Science Technician) and Miss Temple, Mrs Jowitt, Mrs Beauchamp, (Ancillary Assistants).

As in previous years, The Haven High School places great importance on working closely with primary schools in the local Boston area. We have worked with local primary schools to support the teaching of Maths, Technology, Science, Music, Information and Communication Technology. We have developed a programme for the coming year to increase our links with local primary schools.

In addition to these opportunities to work together, we liaise with the staff of the primary schools in passing on information about the progress of their past pupils.

Our approach to working with the local community is as committed as ever. The pupils benefit from this close liaison with a large number of Boston companies having employees who act as industry mentors for those on examination courses. Several companies provide training for our senior pupils and this is a wonderful opportunity for our young people to gain valuable experience for future employment. In addition, we have developed a special evening course called 'Family Highway' at the school for parents and children to learn together using computers. This has proved so popular and successful in promoting lifelong learning that the courses will be run again in the coming year.

Also very successful has been the involvement of Youth Workers from Holy Trinity Church. Tony Coe and Stuart Griffiths have played an important role in the school, helping with lessons and providing extra curricular clubs for young people at lunchtimes and after school with activities such as badminton and using computers.

The new ICT Community Learning Centre, due to open in March 2002 is a facility for companies, local interest groups and individuals to update their computer skills and learn how to make best use of the latest information and communications technology. Broadband technology will allow fast and easy access to the internet.

Local community groups regularly use the school’s excellent facilities, including a new sports hall, for day and evening classes as well as special weekend and holiday events.

The school is also actively involved in working with the Boston Community Safety Partnership and Boston 2000 projects.

Each pupil receives a full written report during the year: Years 7 - 10 during the Summer Term, whilst Year 11 receive their Record of Achievement in May, just before their final external school examinations. As well as commenting on progress made during the year, these reports give the results of the school examinations, which are held for each year group. The examinations for Year 11 are held in December using the 'mock' GCSE papers, Year 10 in March and Years 7 - 9 in May.

A system of half termly effort reports operates in all years, with Year 8 also receiving monthly reports. These reports give information to parents about how hard their child has been working in each of the school subjects.

In Year 10, a number of pupils are invited to join a scheme of Study and Support, whereby pupils receive weekly effort reports. Three evenings are scheduled for parents of pupils in this scheme to talk with subject teachers. In the Spring half term these pupils embark on a special exam skills and revision course. The scheme culminates in an intensive residential revision programme in the Easter holidays.

Parents are invited to school at specific times during the year to discuss their child's progress. Some year groups, Years 7 and 9 have two such parents' evenings each year.

Details of all the dates for examinations, reports and parents' evenings are sent out to parents just before the start of the new school year.